In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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